Interesting orchid flower facts
Whenever you send flowers, and particularly if they are as prized as orchids, you might be interested to learn a bit more about what makes these flowers so special. So many of us take the beauty of fresh flowers for granted and some don’t really bother considering just how much flowers like roses and orchids differ. There are so many colours and types of each flower that most consumers don’t even know about. By learning more about the various kinds of flowers available, it helps you make an informed decision the next time you visit your local florist.
Certain orchid species are known to be the most expensive flowers you will find at your florist. They carry this heavy price tag for a really good reason though. An orchid plant that is quite vulnerable to disease and, if affected, there’s no curing it. On the up side, orchids are the longest lasting of all cut flowers so you will get your money’s worth at the end of the day. Considering their vulnerability to disease yet hardy nature, it’s easier to understand why they are on the more expensive side.
An advantage of living in this day and age is that we have much better forms of transport. Just over 100 years ago, flowers were transported by boat and, as a result, more than half of them perished on the way. Florists have really upped their game over the years. They are a lot more careful when cutting each flower stem, storing them and offering the right kind of care to keep flowers fresher for longer.
Orchids, unlike many other flowers, can’t be grown just anywhere. The best place for them to grow is on a slope. This allows excess water to flow away and the roots won’t be subject to rot. If you plant various species of orchids fairly close to one another, you might be fortunate enough to harvest some hybrid seeds! If you don’t have too much time or patience, modern technology can always come to your rescue.
Orchids are one of the largest plant families in the entire world. In fact, there are more than 25,000 known natural species and even more hybrids too. The largest orchid can grow as high as 20 metres. Some orchids are native to the UK, most of them are more comfortable in tropical areas like South America and Asia. A whopping 300 new species of orchid are discovered each year and expert believe that there are about 5,000 more species out there waiting to be uncovered!
Some species of flowers tend to be more popular than others. As far as orchids are concerned, the most common favourites are the moth orchid, vanda, cymbidium, dendrobium and the slipper orchid. The dendrobium orchid has thin stems with sprays of delicate blooms. Their flowers look quite similar to small daffodils and they are available in white, green, purple, red and there are even striped varieties. Moth orchids, or phalaenopsis, are readily available today but this was not always the case. In the 1800s, they were tough to find. UK florists and flower buyers would pay a fair price for this particular species. It’s certainly good news for the average consumer that such flowers have become so widely cultivated. This way, growers and florists are able to keep up with the industry’s supply and demand while offering reasonable prices.